I was diagnosed Bipolar at 13, and to top it off I was addicted to meth less than a year later. I was hell for my parents. I ran the house, literally. I didn't have a curfew, my brothers was 10pm and he was 2 years older than me. I was promiscuous, and I just didn't care about myself. Thing is when you are younger, you don't see it that way. I got involved with a outpatient/inpatient rehab and completely sobered up 10 months later. I relapsed a few times, but who doesn't. There is hope. I was on lithium for a while, but I quit taking it when I started using meth. Meth was a better high. I never went back to prescribed medication though. I even tried to cover up my disorder with marijuana. Which did work for a while, but then it just seemed to make my moods more extreme. Now, I take life one day at a time, and it is still hard, but I turned out to be a decent human being. Hey woulda thought? lol Anyway, you can try meds, try whatever comes to mind, eventually something will work, OR he'll grow up and realize he has a problem.

I was diagnosed Bipolar at 13, and to top it off I was addicted to meth less than a year later. I was hell for my parents. I ran the house, literally. I didn't have a curfew, my brothers was 10pm and he was 2 years older than me. I was promiscuous, and I just didn't care about myself. Thing is when you are younger, you don't see it that way. I got involved with a outpatient/inpatient rehab and completely sobered up 10 months later. I relapsed a few times, but who doesn't. There is hope. I was on lithium for a while, but I quit taking it when I started using meth. Meth was a better high. I never went back to prescribed medication though. I even tried to cover up my disorder with marijuana. Which did work for a while, but then it just seemed to make my moods more extreme. Now, I take life one day at a time, and it is still hard, but I turned out to be a decent human being. Hey woulda thought? lol Anyway, you can try meds, try whatever comes to mind, eventually something will work, OR he'll grow up and realize he has a problem.

Hi. I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 15. I am 20 right now. I am also an addict. I've gone through more than most people my age have and I've been in and out of the rooms and rehab since I was 14 or 15. After some recent legal trouble I am back and more hopeful than ever. The only advice I can give to your bipolar drug addicted son is that it is hard but you must remain hopeful. Drugs only make the illness worse and though you may feel normal for a moment while under the influence, the drugs wear off but the disease doesn't. You only feel worse. Find a secure support system and don't lose faith in yourself. Though I feel completely alone sometimes because I have two battles to conquer, it is important to understand how strong you can be.

Hi. I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 15. I am 20 right now. I am also an addict. I've gone through more than most people my age have and I've been in and out of the rooms and rehab since I was 14 or 15. After some recent legal trouble I am back and more hopeful than ever. The only advice I can give to your bipolar drug addicted son is that it is hard but you must remain hopeful. Drugs only make the illness worse and though you may feel normal for a moment while under the influence, the drugs wear off but the disease doesn't. You only feel worse. Find a secure support system and don't lose faith in yourself. Though I feel completely alone sometimes because I have two battles to conquer, it is important to understand how strong you can be.

Hello. There is hope for the bi-polar addict. The key, first, is getting him the right meds. I am 44 and was first diagnosed with BP at 35. It took until just 6 months ago to finally feel like I'm on the right path med-wise. I am on lithium and cymbalta. The lithium was very key......Good luck to both of you!

Hello. There is hope for the bi-polar addict. The key, first, is getting him the right meds. I am 44 and was first diagnosed with BP at 35. It took until just 6 months ago to finally feel like I'm on the right path med-wise. I am on lithium and cymbalta. The lithium was very key......Good luck to both of you!

You have the right idea telling your son he needs to attend NA in order to continue living with you. Setting boundaries in love is the toughest thing that family members face. There is also Naranon or Alanon for you. That program really helps family members detach with love. I attend myself and it has helped me tremendously.

Hopefully your son is on medication by the doctor who diagnosed his Bi-polar disorder. If not, he really should see a good psychiatrist.

Addiction is a terrible illness. Treatment and support helps.

I agree. Settings boundaries is probably one of the more important steps to recovery. But often the hardest.

[quote]You have the right idea telling your son he needs to attend NA in order to continue living with you. Setting boundaries in love is the toughest thing that family members face. There is also Naranon or Alanon for you. That program really helps family members detach with love. I attend myself and it has helped me tremendously.

Hopefully your son is on medication by the doctor who diagnosed his Bi-polar disorder. If not, he really should see a good psychiatrist.

Addiction is a terrible illness. Treatment and support helps.[/quote]

I agree. Settings boundaries is probably one of the more important steps to recovery. But often the hardest.

1st step: see a doctor, make sure he is physically ok. 2nd step: see a psychiatrist, there may be a medication he can take to stabilize him. 3rd step: see a therapist (along with the medication, it has been shown to improve recovery chances) 4th step: go to meetings. You to Nar Anon, him to NA

hope you have insurance....

[quote]1st step: see a doctor, make sure he is physically ok. 2nd step: see a psychiatrist, there may be a medication he can take to stabilize him. 3rd step: see a therapist (along with the medication, it has been shown to improve recovery chances) 4th step: go to meetings. You to Nar Anon, him to NA [/quote]

You have the right idea telling your son he needs to attend NA in order to continue living with you. Setting boundaries in love is the toughest thing that family members face. There is also Naranon or Alanon for you. That program really helps family members detach with love. I attend myself and it has helped me tremendously.

Hopefully your son is on medication by the doctor who diagnosed his Bi-polar disorder. If not, he really should see a good psychiatrist.

Addiction is a terrible illness. Treatment and support helps.

You have the right idea telling your son he needs to attend NA in order to continue living with you. Setting boundaries in love is the toughest thing that family members face. There is also Naranon or Alanon for you. That program really helps family members detach with love. I attend myself and it has helped me tremendously.

Hopefully your son is on medication by the doctor who diagnosed his Bi-polar disorder. If not, he really should see a good psychiatrist.

My otherwise wonderful 19 year old son was diagnosed as bipolar this summer...hard to tell if this is a legitimate diagnosis since he's a pretty eclectic drug user...he's quit collge, moved back home and when he's not high, is a great young man...unfortunately when he is impaired, he's hostile, aggressive, frightening and bacically making my life a misery. I'm forcing him to attend NA meetings as a criterion for continuing to live in the house, hoping that continued exposure to the supportive atmosphere will rub off.... Does anyone have any other suggestions ?

1st step: see a doctor, make sure he is physically ok.
2nd step: see a psychiatrist, there may be a medication he can take to stabilize him.
3rd step: see a therapist (along with the medication, it has been shown to improve recovery chances)
4th step: go to meetings. You to Nar Anon, him to NA

It is a battle. You do everything you can do, then with a clear conscious you can say I tried my best. Now it is up to him. It always comes down to the person abusing. It is their decision.

Good luck!

[quote]My otherwise wonderful 19 year old son was diagnosed as bipolar this summer...hard to tell if this is a legitimate diagnosis since he's a pretty eclectic drug user...he's quit collge, moved back home and when he's not high, is a great young man...unfortunately when he is impaired, he's hostile, aggressive, frightening and bacically making my life a misery. I'm forcing him to attend NA meetings as a criterion for continuing to live in the house, hoping that continued exposure to the supportive atmosphere will rub off.... Does anyone have any other suggestions ?[/quote]

1st step: see a doctor, make sure he is physically ok.
2nd step: see a psychiatrist, there may be a medication he can take to stabilize him.
3rd step: see a therapist (along with the medication, it has been shown to improve recovery chances)
4th step: go to meetings. You to Nar Anon, him to NA

It is a battle. You do everything you can do, then with a clear conscious you can say I tried my best. Now it is up to him. It always comes down to the person abusing. It is their decision.

Hello Guest, does he feel better after going to a NA meeting? Does he have a sponsor? Or somebody from NA he can talk to? Going to rehab could be his best move (if he's willing to go). I would talk to my physician and I would call Horsham Clinic or Livengrin.

If anybody on this board has any other suggestions, please share them with us.

Hello Guest, does he feel better after going to a NA meeting? Does he have a sponsor? Or somebody from NA he can talk to? Going to rehab could be his best move (if he's willing to go). I would talk to my physician and I would call Horsham Clinic or Livengrin.

If anybody on this board has any other suggestions, please share them with us.

My otherwise wonderful 19 year old son was diagnosed as bipolar this summer...hard to tell if this is a legitimate diagnosis since he's a pretty eclectic drug user...he's quit collge, moved back home and when he's not high, is a great young man...unfortunately when he is impaired, he's hostile, aggressive, frightening and bacically making my life a misery. I'm forcing him to attend NA meetings as a criterion for continuing to live in the house, hoping that continued exposure to the supportive atmosphere will rub off.... Does anyone have any other suggestions ?

My otherwise wonderful 19 year old son was diagnosed as bipolar this summer...hard to tell if this is a legitimate diagnosis since he's a pretty eclectic drug user...he's quit collge, moved back home and when he's not high, is a great young man...unfortunately when he is impaired, he's hostile, aggressive, frightening and bacically making my life a misery. I'm forcing him to attend NA meetings as a criterion for continuing to live in the house, hoping that continued exposure to the supportive atmosphere will rub off.... Does anyone have any other suggestions ?